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This Week on Xbox: July 19, 2019

by Mike Nelson, Xbox Wire Editor Posted on July 19, 2019July 19, 2019

We know you’re busy and might miss out on all the exciting things we’re talking about on Xbox Wire every week. If you’ve got a few minutes, we can help remedy that. We’ve pared down the past week’s news into one easy-to-digest article for all things Xbox! Or, if you’d rather watch than read, you can feast your eyes on our weekly video show above. Be sure to come back every Friday to find out what’s happening This Week on Xbox! Basketball Superstar Anthony Davis Unveils the Xbox One X NBA 2K20 Special Edition Bundle Today in Los Angeles, California, in partnership with 2K, basketball superstar and this year’s NBA 2K20 cover athlete Anthony Davis unveiled three new Xbox... Read more: This Week on Xbox: July 19, 2019

Cloud Gaming is Big Tech’s Next Street Fight (Fortune)

Xbox is Coming to gamescom 2019

by Will Tuttle, Xbox Wire Editor in Chief Posted on July 17, 2019July 17, 2019

Following this year’s incredible E3 and the breathtaking reaction we’ve had from our fans, we’re excited to let you know that Xbox will be coming to gamescom 2019 in Cologne, Germany. We’ll be bringing a great line up of games to the event from developers around the world with almost 200 gameplay stations in our booth, including the first public hands-on of both Minecraft Dungeons, Horde Mode in Gears 5 and fans in Germany can also try Project xCloud for the first time. Here’s a quick overview of what we’ll be getting up to at the show this year: Inside Xbox live from Cologne To kick off the week, we’ll be hosting a special episode of Inside Xbox live from the Gloria... Read more: Xbox is Coming to gamescom 2019

New Reserve Yukon Valley is Bringing Gray Wolves and More to theHunter: Call of the Wild

by Peppe Pihl, World Designer, theHunter: Call of the Wild Posted on July 19, 2019July 19, 2019

Just in time for the summer holidays, the open-world hunting simulator theHunter: Call of the Wild released a new reserve for Xbox One titled Yukon Valley and I’m here to talk about some of the thoughts and inspirations behind the latest addition to the game. This is Yukon Vallen Yukon Valley marks the 6th reserve for theHunter: Call of the Wild. As the name might suggest, it’s heavily inspired by the lovely state of Alaska, and the release saw the addition of seven new species to the animal roster. Last year saw the release of two reserves, one set in the heated African Savanna and the other set in the rolling mountains of South America. Our challenge was therefore to... Read more

Ghost Recon Wildlands Unleashes Free Mercenaries Mode on Xbox One

by Mikel Reparaz, Editor, Ubisoft Posted on July 19, 2019July 19, 2019

Ghost Recon Wildlands has received one last, major free update before the October 4 launch of Ghost Recon Breakpoint, and it’s added a whole new way to play. Mercenaries, a new PvPvE free-for-all mode playable on Xbox Live (Gold required), drops eight players into Unidad territory and challenges you to call for a rescue chopper, make your way to an extraction point, and be the first to escape. You’ll drop in without any items, gear, or weapons (except for a knife), but anything you can loot on-site will give you an edge as you match wits with other players and Unidad troops. Each Mercenaries match unfolds in three phases, with the first being Recon. Here, your goal is to seek out... Read more

Gears 5 Versus Multiplayer Tech Test Available Today

by Dana Sissons, Director of Communications, The Coalition Posted on July 19, 2019July 19, 2019

It’s finally here – The Gears 5 Versus Tech Test goes live today to give players their first taste of Versus multiplayer action. Starting at 10 a.m. PDT today, COG hopefuls can enlist in the Boot Camp training mode and then jump right into Arcade, the new game type designed for over-the-top fun where characters become heroes with their own unique abilities, loadouts and playstyles. Gears veterans will want to check out fan-favorite King of the Hill, the updated competitive game type Escalation and a mini-Tour of Duty, a series of challenges that grant sweet Tech Test exclusive rewards that will carry over into Gears 5. No matter your level of Gears familiarity, Gears 5 offers a... Read more

Next Week on Xbox: New Games for July 24 to 26

by Mike Nelson, Xbox Wire Editor Posted on July 19, 2019July 18, 2019

Welcome to Next Week on Xbox, where we cover all the new games coming soon to Xbox One! Every week the team at Xbox aims to deliver quality gaming content for you to enjoy on your favorite gaming console. To find out what’s coming soon to Xbox One, read on below and click on each of the game profiles for pre-order details (dates are subject to... Read more

Join the Fishing Sim World: Pro Tour Today on Xbox One

by Des O’Connor, Producer, Fishing Sim World: Pro Tour Posted on July 19, 2019July 18, 2019

Fishing Sim World: Pro Tour features an in-depth career mode allowing you to fulfil the dream of becoming the number 1 ranked angler in the world – this won’t be easy though as some of the world’s best anglers need to be beaten. Working your way through the ranks from amateur to elite, you will come across over 100 professionals including Scott Martin - the most successful FLW Tour bass angler of all time, he is also the host of the “Scott Martin Challenge” show on Discovery Channel and Fishing Sim World ambassador. Expect Ali Hamidi – one of the best carp anglers in the country as well as producer and presenter of ITV’s “Monster Carp & The Big Fish Off”... Read more

Free Play Days – Borderlands: Game of the Year Edition

by Glenn Gutierrez, Brand Manager, 2K Posted on July 18, 2019July 17, 2019

Jump into the co-op looter shooter that started it all! Enjoy a blend of FPS and RPG mechanics as you play one four characters who each have their own unique skillsets to use and master. Borderlands: Game of the Year Edition will be available for free this weekend to Xbox Live Gold members who will have access to the full game during the Free Play Days period. Installation Instructions The Free Play Days event begins Thursday, July 18 at 12:01 a.m. PDT and runs through to Sunday, July 21 at 11:59 p.m. PDT. You can find and install Borderlands: Game of the Year Edition here. To download on console, click on the Gold member area on the home dashboard on your Xbox One! Keep Your... Read more

The Sims 4 Island Living Sails to Xbox One

by Julie Roth, Writer, EA Posted on July 17, 2019July 17, 2019

Simmers, today is the day! Your Sims can splash, swim, and sunbathe their lives away in The Sims 4 Island Living Expansion Pack, now available on Xbox One. What other adventures (and mischief) can your Sims get into while on the island of Sulani? Read on to find out seven splash-tastic reasons why you’ll love the laidback lifestyle. The Breezy Weather A wise person once said, “Sun’s out. Buns out.” Another wise person once said, “Sun’s out. You should put on some sunscreen.” When it comes to Sulani, both are correct. Your Sims will enjoy bright, blue skies, a warm climate, and gorgeous sunsets. The Friendly Locals Not only will your Sims... Read more

Play in the $1 Million Fortnite Xbox Cup Tournament Starting July 20

by Brent Coyle, eSports Marketing, Fortnite Posted on July 17, 2019July 21, 2019

We’re excited to announce the Fortnite Xbox Cup is kicking off Saturday, July 20 on Xbox One! Any Xbox Live Gold member can compete in this Solos tournament for a chance to win part of the $1 million prize pool. Read the official rules here. Drop into Fortnite Battle Royale from your Xbox One console to join our online qualifiers starting on Saturday, July 20. The top players from Saturday will then qualify for the online finals on Sunday, July 21. You can find the official schedule below: Xbox Cup (Solo) - Saturday, July 20 OCE: 2 a.m ET - 5 a.m. ET ASIA: 4 a.m. ET - 7 a.m. ET EU: 9 a.m. ET - 12 p.m. ET BR: 5 p.m. ET - 8 p.m. ET NAE: 5 p.m. ET - 8 p.m. ET ... Read more

The Moon Rises: Io arrives in Paladins!

by Kevin Meier, Game Designer, Paladins Posted on July 17, 2019July 17, 2019

The Moon Goddess Io spent eons watching over the Realm, but no longer: Io has arrived in Paladins on Xbox One as the latest Support Champion! What are you waiting for – You can log in today to experience her lunar magic, fire mystical crescent arrows from her light bow, and command your spirit fox Luna! We’ve been teasing Io’s release for months, so you can tell we’re a bit excited to finally release her to Xbox One players everywhere. Evil Mojo Games first hinted at her existence by planting spirit foxes in our Shattered Desert map. And we doubled down by putting a statue of Io in our Bazaar map -- a map themed to represent a village of Io’s worshippers. You see, Io sat in... Read more

How to Get the Most Out of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate

by Will Tuttle, Xbox Wire Editor in Chief Posted on July 17, 2019July 17, 2019

This year has seen a number of big Xbox announcements, from our new approach to PC Gaming to all of the news we shared onstage at E3. For many of us, however, the most exciting news was that we created a brand-new membership plan that would benefit gamers in a huge variety of ways. Called Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, this program combines Xbox Game Pass for Console, Xbox Game Pass for PC, and Xbox Live Gold into one convenient membership for the low monthly price of $14.99. What’s more, new members and existing Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass for Console members can upgrade now to get their first month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for just $1. Additionally, if you’re a current Xbox... Read more

Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 2’s Tale of the Taco is Here

by Kristen Star, Writer, EA Posted on July 16, 2019July 16, 2019

Get ready to dive into the fantastically tasty Tale of the Taco event happening right now in the biggest battle in the universe, Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 2, as part of our latest update. If you haven’t yet entered the Garden Warfare 2 fray, let me give you the overall zombified scoop: it’s the funniest, craziest shooter around today, where you can help the plants reclaim their turf in 24-player Herbal Assault, or choose your side in 4-player co-op or solo play, letting you wage war on seriousness, and your friends however you want (if you are playing for the first time, check out our tips and tricks). Okay, got it? Now, let’s talk about one of the crunchiest stories... Read more

Games

Minecraft Earth Closed Beta Available in Two Cities

Basketball Superstar Anthony Davis Unveils the Xbox One X NBA 2K20 Special Edition Bundle

by Jeff Gattis, General Manager of Platform and Devices Marketing Posted on July 16, 2019July 16, 2019

Today in Los Angeles, California, in partnership with 2K, basketball superstar and this year’s NBA 2K20 cover athlete Anthony Davis unveiled three new Xbox One NBA 2K20 Bundles available for pre-order today and hitting store shelves starting September 6. With these new Xbox One NBA 2K20 Bundles, gamers can experience what’s next in basketball culture and hit the court as their favorite athletes just in time for them to face off IRL in the upcoming regular season kicking off in October. In addition to a standard edition Xbox One X NBA 2K20 Bundle ($499 USD) and Xbox One S NBA 2K20 Bundle ($299 USD), Davis – the newest power forward for the iconic Lakers – showed off the latest... Read more

Coming Soon to Xbox Game Pass: Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, Resident Evil 4, and More

by Megan Spurr, Community Lead, Xbox Game Pass Posted on July 16, 2019July 17, 2019

Are you ever at a Summer BBQ and your friend asks you what kind of food you want off the grill? It can be seriously overwhelming. You've got hot dogs, burgers, meat skewers, maybe some corn on the cob with extra salt, lime, and cotija cheese to give it that extra flavor zing...it's never an easy choice. Well friend, not to put you in a tough position or anything, but we’ve been working the grill for quite a while and we’ve cooked up a lot of games for you this Summer. Our favorite flavor? Hot new games for our Xbox Game Pass friends. Sure, you can play them all, but the hardest part is choosing what to pick first. Grab a plate, we’ve got a lot to go over. ICYMI, Gears 5 Tech... Read more

Xbox Super Game Sale Means Great Deals on Games, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and More

by Will Tuttle, Xbox Wire Editor in Chief Posted on July 16, 2019July 15, 2019

The Microsoft Store Ultimate Game Sale is now the Xbox Super Game Sale! Starting today, everyone can take advantage of a great deal on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, score big savings on a range of digital games for both Xbox and Windows 10, as well as save on select Xbox One S consoles, gaming PCs, controllers, headsets, and more. There’s something for every gamer, but you must hurry because the Xbox Super Game Sale ends July 29. Save up to 70% on select Xbox games Things are heating up with more than 700 deals on Xbox digital games and add-ons including new releases and popular games like Rage 2, Forza Horizon 4, Tom Clancy’s The Division 2, Gang Beasts, Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, and... Read more

Games

Fortune and Glory Await in the High Skies of Dauntless on Xbox One

by Hunter Howe, Design Director, Phoenix Labs Posted on July 16, 2019July 16, 2019

Today marks the release of our first content expansion since the launch of Dauntless on Xbox One a little over a month ago. Called High Skies, this update delivers a thrilling new game mode, stylish rewards, leaderboards… and the Stormchaser corsairs, a band of badass sky pirates who have hauled an entire island along with them to Ramsgate. The High Skies season also heralds the arrival of Trials, a challenging new experience that will put you to the test. Think you've mastered the Bloodfire Embermane hunt? Try taking it on as lightning storms crackle around you and bolts of shock aether fly across the arena. And with a fresh challenge every week, you'll need to learn to adapt if you... Read more

Pre-order Torchlight II for Xbox One Today

by Gregory Quan, Associate Producer, Perfect World Posted on July 16, 2019July 16, 2019

Torchlight burst onto the scene 10 years ago, transporting us to its quirky and charming, steampunk and fantasy world. Since then the series has been adored by fans for its dynamic dungeons, unique aesthetic, and old-school ARPG gameplay. And now, Torchlight II is making its way to Xbox One! Torchlight II features four character classes: Berserker, Embermage, Engineer, and Outlander. Customize your class and set out to avenge Torchlight with a lovable pet companion. Xbox One players will gain access to an exclusive new pet: the Molten Imp, a fiery little rascal with smoke and ember effects on its tail. Pre-ordering the game will also get you exclusive access to another pet: the... Read more

Our First Look at a New Avengers Adventure

by Mike Nelson, Xbox Wire Editor Posted on July 15, 2019July 15, 2019

With the Marvel Cinematic Universe wrapping up its 10-year epic and passing the torch to Spider-Man – that opens the door for some of our favorite superheroes to embark on a new, interactive adventure. Developed by Crystal Dynamics (Tomb Raider, Rise of the Tomb Raider), Marvel’s Avengers looks to pave the way for a whole new adventure where we’re now in control of Earth’s mightiest heroes. The Marvel’s Avengers demo at E3 2019 centered around “A-Day” where the Avengers – Captain America, Iron Man, Hulk, Black Widow, and Thor – unveil their new high-tech headquarters and brand-new helicarrier in San Francisco. Naturally, it’s not long until they need to spring into... Read more